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Unitarian Universalists in Cleveland, Ohio, joined the city’s second annual LGBTQ Pride march through downtown. Wearing angel wings and carrying supportive signs, members of West Shore Unitarian Universalist Society of Rocky River lined the sides of the procession to shield participants from hate speech. ( Cleveland.com– 6.3.17)
Members of Open Circle Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Equality Project partnered with local activists to plan a vigil in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on June 12 to honor those slain in the Orlando Pulse nightclub massacre last year. Fellowship member Paisley Harris said of the vigil, “We want to be a beacon of love and social justice in our community, and we invite other like-minded citizens to join with us in standing on the side of love.” ( Fond du Lac Reporter– 6.6.17)
More coverage:
“Unitarian Universalist Congregation hosts annual LGBTQ Pride service” ( Naples Daily News– 6.4.17)
“Pulse anniversary sparks remembrances” ( Brunswick News– 6.9.17)
More congregations offering sanctuary
In a unanimous vote, Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit, New Jersey, has declared itself a sanctuary congregation. In addition to offering physical shelter when needed, members are committing to extend sanctuary beyond their walls by visiting detainees, sponsoring an immigrant family, and supporting other communities serving as physical sanctuary sites. ( TAPInto.net– 6.8.17)
Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Appleton, Wisconsin, voted to become a sanctuary congregation. It intends not only to be ready to house someone facing deportation proceedings, but to commit to working with immigrant-led and immigrant-focused organizations in the community to learn ways that the congregation can help. It previously provided sanctuary in its building to two Salvadorans in 1987. ( USA Today– 6.7.17)
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs, New York, voted in April to offer sanctuary to an immigrant in need in the community. It is now partnering with another local church that recently declared sanctuary as well, the Presbyterian New England Congregational Church. The two churches’ public commitment comes one week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested sixteen men in Saratoga Springs with alleged administrative immigration violations. ( Saratoga Today– 6.8.17)